Modern Plastics...

PET

ABS

Nylon

Polypropylene

Polycarbonate

PolyKryptonate

That's my guess for the top 10 ....( you know I can't count !)

Add: pheolic

epoxy

silicone

polyvinylchloride

latex

polystyrene

Del, both yourself and Garyceng omitted polyethylene, both LD and HDPE. Think of all the plastic "shopping bags" made. I don't have any world wide production figures at the tip of my fingers, but I suggest:

PE, PP, PS (polystyrene), PVC, ABS/SAN, styrene. butadiene, polycarbonates, PET, polyamides (Nylons).

Yeh...but no one jumps on the one I made up! !!!

I will see ya with - Polyester!

with nice stretchy lycra.... nmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

John.

How does your wife feel about you stretching out her pantyhose?

The list should start with the simplest, PE and PVC.

And then...

...plus other wierd ones such as polybismaleinimide.

I refer you to the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) website.

bobguz

Polyethylene is probably the most common plastic at 60 million tonnes produced each year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene

Woof!!!

Let me elaborate a little more about where I'm going with this question...

People know a lot about wood products, metal products, glass products, etc.. However, I have noticed a complete lack of knowledge among the masses (myself included) regarding the most common material in modern life - plastic. My keyboard is made of plastic, my tooth brush, some of my cloths, on and on!!!

These materials have certain looks and certain feels (hard, soft, cold, ...). What I want to do is compile a list of the ten most common plastics that we come in contact with and how we relate (perceive?) them. There's probably a lot more than ten, but I figured ten was a good starting number for this mystery material that we're bathed in on a day-to-day basis.

What raw materials are used to produce those 60 million tons?!

FROM 60 MLN TONS of Ethylene(gas) derived from Cracked Petroleum fractions

Or the coming up--MTO route

MTO=Methanol To Olefin

Dont forget polyurathane, teflon

polymethyl-methacrylate (Acrylic)

polyester

polypropylene

nylon

acetal

pvc

polycarbonate

polyethylene

polystyrene

teflon

Acrylonitrile, Butadiene Stryrene (ABS)

I think thats 11

Thanks!!!

Almost similar, or at lease not totally of topic is the oldest plastic that I have ever heard of and it is still being produced. It is called Casein. It is used as a high strength water resistant glue. It was used by the Egyptians in furniture joints such as Tutankhamen's throne and other pieces at the British and Cairo museums. It is made from skim milk to which is added vinegar. The precipitate is the goo the Egyptians used as glue. http://www.wonderville.ca/v1/activities/scienceathome/fantastic_plastic.pdf

Nice link....

Del

PVC is one of my favorites. Very practical in water use. Nylon fittings are wonderful also. And then there is all of the materials o-rings are made of. Teflon tape, great stuff.